Reviews

50ft WOMAN..'Ménage á Trois' EP

(Independent Release) Reviewed 22nd September 2010

50ft Woman is a female fronted London based band, fronted by the 6ft Diva who goes by the name of Minki. 'Ménage á Trois' is kinda rock/punk/pop, and with Minki's fetish for high heels, their live shows never fail to delight, where the punters are in-fact encouraged to dress up and wear something outrageous. First track out '(Strictly) Only Swinging' is an awesome little number, and an interesting title as well I hasten to add. 'Psycic Hygiene' carries along the momentum, while the catchy closer 'You're In Love With Love (But You Ain't In Love With Me)' ends this little offering. Think Aerosmith, The Bangles, Debbie Harry, The Ramones and The New York Dolls, and that may give you a rough idea where this band is coming from. Check them out at http://www.50ftwoman.com. This ain't bad, not bad at all. 7.5/10 (Reviewed by Dave)

FACES OF MARCH..'CONFESSIONS'

(Kurfew Records) Reviewed 18th March 2010

Straight from Miami comes this young up and coming rock foursome with their first album based around the theme of confessions and hidden truths. The fifth member is producer Paul Trust, and the result is immaculately polished, finely crafted, ultra commercial, driving gothic rock, in the mould of Evanescence, Lacuna Coil, Paramore and Delain, with the vocals of the stunning Gia giving a Natalie Imbruglia style infusion. Picks for me include the string laced opener, ‘Not Enough’, the groovy electronica of ‘Broken, the piano ballad ‘Too Late’, which really launches off, the Nickelback like ‘Turn Around’, and the My Chemical Romance style ‘Wanna Be’, but there is not a filler in sight, and you are bound to have your own favourites. The whole album screams radio play and heavy rotation on MTV, this has massive crossover potential, and the fact that they are still relatively unknown defies all logic. I have to confess I rather like this, and I believe you will want to own up to having a copy as well, so it’s easily available from their Myspace, www.myspace.com/facesofmarch. 9/10 (Reviewed by Phil)

FACTORY OF DREAMS..'POLES'

(ProgRock Records) Reviewed 4th September 2008

Ravenheart Music has put me in a position that has made me truly grateful to be able to listen to some great music. Now let's add the awesome cd by Factory of Dreams to the list. Factory of Dreams is a project by Portugese musician Hugo Flores, and this album 'Poles', features the angelic vocals of Swedish lass Jessica Lehto, and is a kinda Melodic, Progressive, Gothic, Atmospheric, Industrial Rock/Metal album. Yep, the whole lot! 11 enchanting tracks here that take the listener on an aural journey of musical bliss, that is captivating and atmospheric, until the journey brings you back to Earth again. I am not going to list individual tracks here, but the whole cd that lasts nearly 50 minutes is a lovely record, and is a worthy album to purchase for any fan of the Femme genre. And I want to add that the standard of musicianship on this record is very high, as is the artwork in the accompanying booklet. We are pleased to say that there is also an interview with Hugo and Jessica on this very website, so check that out, and then go buy this album. Trust me, you will not be disappointed, I promise! 9/10 (Reviewed by Dave)

FACTORY OF DREAMS..'A STRANGE UTOPIA'

(ProgRock Records) Reviewed 12th November 2009

Portugese outfit Factory Of Dreams previous opus 'Poles' was reviewed here back in Sept 2008 and I was highly impressed with that release. Now what about 'A Strange Utopia'? This is another good record from the busy Hugo Flores and Jessica Lehto, and although I do admit that this will not be to everyone's taste, it should appeal to the fan who enjoys his Prog Rock/Metal. Again, the songs on offer are very well structured and quite technical. I call this type of music thinking person's music - do not expect verse chorus, verse chorus as it ain't gonna happen. 'Voyage To Utopia' gets things away, immediately giving us a feel for the music on offer. 'Inner Station' has an atmospheric intro and this track ranks as one of my faves on the cd - awesome violin too. But I have a feeling that on subsequent listens, other tracks will unveil their hidden qualities to me. 'Sonic Sensations' is another good tune that highlights the quality of Jessica's voice, while the awesome 9 minute + 'E-Motions' is another highlight on this album. Okay, this release is a grower, do not expect it to hit you immediately. But like most albums that grow, they are the ones that tend to hang around the longest. This sure is worth checking out, but if you like bands like Evanescence, or you are not very open minded regards your music, then perhaps steer clear. 8/10 (Reviewed by Dave)

RACHEL FARRIS..'SOAK'

(Big 3 Records) Reviewed 7th January 2008

SOAK was originally released in 2003 in the USA (it is that copy I have here), but it will now be released internationally by Big 3 Records in 2008. And with a production team of Dino and John Elefante, plus Rachel herself, this debut album is a wonderful taste of modern melodic rock. On it she proves she's a little princess in this genre of music too. We have the opening salvo of 'You Think', the single 'I'm Not The Girl' and 'Soak', and listening to these great tunes, you know this release is something a little special. The pace slackens a little thereafter, but this is a little gem to track down, and hopefully, with a worlwide release it shouldn't be that difficult. We here at Ravenheart Music pride ourselves in the fact we are not stuck in a goth metal rut. Let's hope other people can say the same too. Rachel Farris is the name, and the cd is called SOAK. Get it! 7.5/10 (Reviewed by Dave).

FATELESS TEARS..'HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN MISSING'

(Blue Freya Media) Reviewed 11th January 2011

After 8 years and 4 albums this American duo of Richard and S. Lee Baysinger have decided to polish up some faves and release this best of so that people new to the band can literally hear what they have been missing, whilst existing fans get new improved versions of seminal songs. This is classic gothic metal, halfway between Evanescence and Delain, with a touch of prog and doom, topped by S. Lee's expressive voice. You get 6 sold slabs of metal plus a couple of excellent atmospheric emotional ballads, all with decent production. Sometimes when the band threatens to take off, the doom element puts the brakes on, not quite gothic, not quite doom, it could do with some va va voom. Available from CD Baby, their website is http://www.fatelesstears.com/, a solid 8/10 (Phil)

FIREFLIGHT..'THE HEALING OF HARMS'

(Flicker Records) Reviewed 7th August 2007

Fireflight is a Christian Rock Band from Orlando. They have produced an awesome cd of modern melodic rock. 11 tracks, and 35 mins of melodic mayhem. 35 mins seems a little short, especially when what's on offer is this good, but when it is this good, who's complaining! The best track to my ears is 'You Decide' which is a duet with Josh Brown who is with a band called DAY OF FIRE. Listen to the lyrics on this track and then you decide! But one decision you must make..buy this cd! 8/10 (Reviewed by Laura).

FIREFLIGHT..'UNBREAKABLE'

(Flicker Records/Sony BMG) Reviewed 17th April 2008

Another Christian Rock album to review. They are like London's buses, you go ages without seeing any, and then two turn up together. This effort by Orlando based Fireflight is a modern melodic rock album. 10 tracks of catchy and very accessible rock music. My faves on this cd include 'Unbreakable', 'Brand New Day', 'Forever' and 'Wrapped In Your Arms'. I like this cd, and I urge punters whether they are of faith or not to buy this album. Fireflight’s music offers a haven for the accused and beaten down, and gives an inspirational spark to trust and dream again. And as the title track proclaims, for all those who are broken and have lost their way, there is a hope and love that is Unbreakable. Buy the album and support their music, enough said. 8.5/10 (Reviewed by Dave).